Only 36 percent of individuals believe there is a high likelihood of a natural disaster to EVER happen in their community. Yet, all across the country there are examples of disasters, both natural and otherwise, that affect people daily.
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services — water, gas, electricity or telephones — were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.
In Pacific County we are most prone to floods, severe storms and a tsunami. Being prepared for these events is everyone’s responsibility. The Emergency Resource Guide is a great resource to help you and your family plan for, and get better prepared for any type of emergency.
In order to be prepared we encourage you to:
- Make a Family Emergency Plan
- Put together an emergency supply kit.
- Be prepared to help your neighbor.
- Work as a team to keep everyone safe.
What’s included in a family emergency plan?
- Identify an out-of town contact. This person may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
- Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
- Teach family members how to use text messaging as these messages can often get around network disruptions.
- Subscribe to Pacific County alert services
What’s included in an emergency supply kit?
Store a kit at home, at work and at each child’s school or daycare facility.
- Dry or canned food. At least a three-day supply of foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking.
- Drinking water for each person. Suggested 1 gallon of water per person per day for three days
- Can opener
- First aid supplies and first aid book
- Copies of important documents such as birth certificates, licenses, and insurance policies
- “Special needs” items for family members such as infant formula, eyeglasses and medications
- A change of clothing
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- Battery powered NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Whistle
- Waterproof matches
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Toys, books, puzzles, games
- Extra house keys and car keys
- List of contact names and phone numbers
- Food, water and supplies for pets
Additional items you can store at home for use during an emergency:
Cooking supplies
- Barbecue, camp stove
- Fuel for cooking, such as charcoal or camp stove fuel
- Plastic knives, forks, spoons
- Paper plates and cups
- Paper towels
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Sanitation supplies
- Large plastic trash bags for trash, water protection
- Large trash cans
- Bar soap and liquid detergent
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Feminine and infant supplies
- Toilet paper
- Household bleach with no additives, and eyedropper (for purifying drinking water)
- Newspaper — to wrap garbage and waste
Comfort
- Sturdy shoes
- Gloves for clearing debris
- Tent
Tools
- Ax, shovel, broom
- Crescent wrench for turning off gas
- Screwdriver, pliers, hammer
- Coil of one-half inch rope
- Plastic tape and sheeting
- Knife or razor blades
- Garden hose for siphoning and fire fighting
Feel overwhelmed? Check out the Washington State website “Prepare in a year“